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Port guide / Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida / Florida
Clearwater fishing guide
Clearwater fishes the open Gulf off Clearwater Beach and Sand Key, the passes and Intracoastal behind the barrier islands, and the trout and snook water around Honeymoon Island just north. Pier 60 puts shore anglers over Gulf water at night under the lights, and party boats out of the Clearwater Beach Marina run half day trips up to about 10 miles out for grunts, porgies, sea bass, mangrove snapper and hogfish. Compared with St. Petersburg, the nearest existing guide, there is no Tampa Bay mouth, Skyway or Egmont Key bait run here: this is a beach and pass fishery, and the NOAA gauge at Clearwater Beach reports live water temperature and wind right where you fish.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Today’s bite
A forecast built from live data and the calendar below. Not a catch report.
Working out today from the tides, water and calendar.
Tides
- Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.
On the water now
- Water
- Checking
- Wind
- Checking
Marine forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast.
7 day forecast
National Weather Service, for Clearwater. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Clearwater Beach, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Coastal waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 NM (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Clearwater. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.
The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.
15 ft, fishing reports
Fishing reports
What people are catching, on what, and where. Every report links to whoever wrote it. We do not write these ourselves.
Latest reports
From local captains, shops and outdoor writers. Newest first, last 14 days.
- Checking the latest reports.
Report sources: Coastal Angler Tampa Bay Fishing Reports and Forecasts (opens in a new tab)
Straight from the dock
Reports sent to us by shops and captains on this guide. We check each one before it posts.
Checking for reports.
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Clearwater. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snook | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Spotted seatrout | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Spanish mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Good | Slow |
| King mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Good | Slow |
| Mangrove snapper | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Peak | Good | Slow |
| Grouper (red and gag) | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak |
| Sheepshead | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak |
| Pompano | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak |
Snook
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Spring through fall, work the beach troughs, passes and Intracoastal docks; winter is slower.
Redfish
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Year-round on the shallow grass flats behind the beaches, with big schooling fish on the flats in late summer.
Spotted seatrout
Peak: January, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Honeymoon Island flats are the local trout water; wade with a gold spoon, topwater or live shrimp under a float.
Tarpon
Peak: May, June, July
Fish roll along the beaches and passes from March to October, best May through July; FWC advises against fighting tarpon from piers.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: April, October
Spring and fall runs bring them to the piers and beaches, and they are the fish that makes most shore anglers' day.
King mackerel
Peak: April, October
Kings pass through on the spring and fall migrations between the Keys and the Panhandle, so April and October are the months to be on the nearshore water.
Mangrove snapper
Peak: July, August, October
Summer is snapper time on nearshore bottom; party boats report better odds bringing live or frozen shrimp on longer trips.
Grouper (red and gag)
Peak: October, November, December
Red grouper come up on the longer offshore trips; gag bite but were only legal to keep in September in 2026.
Sheepshead
Peak: January, February, December
Fall to spring around docks, bridges and pier pilings, with February the standout month.
Pompano
Peak: January, February, March, April, December
A winter and spring fish along the Gulf beaches from Clearwater Beach to Sand Key.
30 ft, seasons and rules
Seasons and rules
Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.
Red snapper, Gulf state and federal waters (private recreational), summer
Summer season ran May 22 (Memorial Day weekend) through July 31. Private-vessel anglers must hold the free State Reef Fish Angler designation.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, Gulf state and federal waters (private recreational), fall
Open Sept. 1 to Oct. 4, then every day Oct. 9 to 22 (eight days added in September), Oct. 23 to 25, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, Nov. 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and 21 to 22, Nov. 26 to 29, Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20, Dec. 25 to 27, and Jan. 1 to 4, 2027.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf state waters
Recreational season was open Sept. 1 through Sept. 30 and closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf federal waters
Opened 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1 and closed 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, Gulf state waters
Recreational season open Sept. 1 through Oct. 13, closing at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14, matching adjacent federal waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, Gulf state and federal waters
Open March 1 to May 31 and Aug. 1 to Dec. 31. Closed June 1 to July 31.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Snook, Tampa Bay region
Harvest is closed Dec. 1 through the end of February and May 1 through Aug. 31. Keeping one also requires a snook permit.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red drum, Tampa Bay region
Open year-round. Slot and bag are on the FWC red drum page.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Spotted seatrout, Tampa Bay region
Open year-round with no seasonal closure under the 2026 regional rules.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Tarpon
Catch and release only statewide. Fish over 40 inches must stay in the water unless you hold a tarpon tag for a record attempt.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Pier
Pier 60
1,080-foot lighted Gulf pier popular for night fishing, reopened from the bait house to the gate on Sept. 1, 2025 after hurricane repairs.
- Flats
Honeymoon Island State Park
Trout and snook rich wading water just north of Clearwater.
- Beach
Clearwater Beach surf
Wade the sand bars and troughs for snook, Spanish mackerel and pompano in season.
- Beach
Sand Key Park
County park at the south end of Clearwater Beach listed by FWC as a shore and pier fishing site.
- Reef
Nearshore hard bottom within 10 miles
Where the half day party boats fish for grunts, porgies, sea bass, mangrove snapper and hogfish.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminole Street Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 201 Seminole St, Clearwater, FL |
| Clearwater Beach Recreation Center ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | 69 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater Beach, FL |
| Belleair Causeway Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 3900 W. Bay Dr, Belleair Bluffs, FL |
| Seventh Street ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | 7th St, Belleair Beach, FL |
| Dunedin Marina and Edgewater Park ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 51 Main St, Dunedin, FL |
| Pier 60 fishing pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Paid | 1 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater Beach, FL |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Where to get live and fresh bait, tackle and a guide. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle (2)
- Bait and tackle
The Bait House (Clearwater Beach Marina)
Clearwater Beach Marina, 25 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767
At the end of the Clearwater Beach Marina; sells rods and reels, bait, line, ice and snacks, open seven days weather permitting.
- Pier shop
Pier 60 Bait House
Bait: frozen bait
1 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Sells bait, tackle and pier fishing passes and rents rods; lighted pier popular for night fishing.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Double Eagle Deep Sea Fishing (Clearwater Beach Marina) (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
| Reel Smokin Fishing Charters / Light Tackle Sportsfishing (Capt. Cory Palmer) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Action Fishing (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
Old Salt Spring King of the Beach Kingfish Tournament (Madeira Beach) (opens in a new tab)
usually late April or early May
2026: April 30 to May 2 (Madeira Beach Recreation Complex)Old Salt Fall King of the Beach Kingfish Tournament (Madeira Beach) (opens in a new tab)
usually November
2026: November 12 to 14, awards November 15Tampa Bay Watch Tarpon Rodeo (catch and release, Tampa Bay) (opens in a new tab)
usually early to mid June
2026 was June 12; 2027 is set for June 4
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Clearwater, asked and answered
Do I need a fishing license to fish Pier 60?
No separate license is needed because the daily pier fee includes a one-day fishing pass. You pay at the bait house, which also rents rods and sells frozen bait.
What can I catch off Clearwater Beach?
Snook, redfish, trout and Spanish mackerel are around much of the year, tarpon run March to October with a May to July peak, and pompano show in the surf in winter and spring.
Where do I launch a boat in Clearwater?
The Seminole Street Boat Ramp at 201 Seminole St. charges a fee. FWC also lists the free Clearwater Beach Recreation Center ramp at 69 Bay Esplanade and the paid Belleair Causeway ramp at 3900 W. Bay Dr.
What do the Clearwater party boats catch?
Half day trips out of the Clearwater Beach Marina fish up to about 10 miles out for grunts, porgies and sea bass, with mangrove snapper, hogfish and the odd red grouper on longer trips.
Can I keep a snook in Clearwater?
Clearwater is in FWC's Tampa Bay snook region, where harvest is closed Dec. 1 through February and May 1 through Aug. 31. In the open months you need a saltwater license plus a snook permit.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Clearwater
Sources for this guide (23), last checked 2026-10-27
- baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/09/01/fishing-returns-to-clearwater-s-pier-60 (opens in a new tab)
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/tampa_bay/pages/boat_ramps.html (opens in a new tab)
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/tampa_bay/pages/fishing_piers.html (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/red-drum/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snook/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/spotted-seatrout/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/tarpon/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/efp-snapper-0526/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gag-grouper-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gray-triggerfish-0226/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/greater-amberjack-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/recreational-red-snapper-0926/ (opens in a new tab)
- oldsaltfishing.org/fishing-tournaments/fall-king-of-the-beach-kingfish-tournament/ (opens in a new tab)
- oldsaltfishing.org/fishing-tournaments/spring-king-of-the-beach-kingfish-tournament/ (opens in a new tab)
- doubleeagledeepseafishing.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gag-recreational-season-federal- (opens in a new tab)
- floridatarponfishingcharters.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- reelcoquinafishing.com/blogs/florida-fishing-blog/st-pete-fishing-calendar (opens in a new tab)
- tampabaywatch.org/tarpon-rodeo (opens in a new tab)
- visitstpeteclearwater.com/article/seasonal-fishing-guide (opens in a new tab)
- visitstpeteclearwater.com/article/your-fishing-guide-to-st-pete-clearwater (opens in a new tab)
- visitstpeteclearwater.com/profile/action-fishing/140216 (opens in a new tab)
- visitstpeteclearwater.com/profile/bait-house/138754 (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Clearwater
UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.